Google Wallet Warns Users Of Rooted Phones

Faced with reports and evidence that some pretty nasty vulnerabilities have plagued the Google Wallet experience, Google naturally set out to make things right. While they work to implement a more proper fix for some of these things, Google will opt to simply warn rooted users that they are not supported. Despite this fact, everything works just as it always has on Google Wallet. As the most serious vulnerabilities only affect root users it’s natural for Google to allow those knowledgeable enough to have rooted devices to continue on. We would prefer it if they got a move on getting those proper fixes in place, though, so we’re not totally satisfied yet. Continue to use it at your own risk.

Rooted Android phones remain vulnerable to a security loophole regarding Google Wallet already fixed on standard-issued phones. Google is making sure that users are aware of this, and has included a warning when using Google Wallet that the rooted decice is not compatible.

Instead of fixing the bug, Google has decided to explain why Google Wallet should not be used on rooted phones. Tapping the warning message leads to Google’s explanation. It’s quite understandable why Google opted to issue a warning instead of fixing it for rooted phones, after all, placing custom firmware on your device is on an “install at your own risk” basis.

How Google Wallet Works:

Google may launch Android controlled home entertainment system

This one actually could be far bigger news than it first would seem. The news has come out that Google may be looking to launch an Android controlled home entertainment system later this year. The interesting part of it is that the hardware is said to be Google branded. As yet, Google has never released branded hardware without a partner, like the HTC Nexus One, Samsung Nexus S and Galaxy Nexus, and Motorola XOOM.

The report by the Wall Street Journal says that Google is planning to design and market the home entertainment system, and there is no mention of any hardware partners. The idea behind the entertainment system is similar to the Android@Home project that Google showed off at last year's Google I/O. The home entertainment system has been developed by the Android team, and will run a variant of the mobile OS software. It will allow users to stream music from any device over a wireless network.

It is highly likely that such a system would see pretty tight integration with Google Music, Android and Google TV (which is itself a variant of Android). The real question is whether or not Google is really planning to build the hardware itself. Even the acquisition of Motorola Mobility wouldn't really help with this as the company has no history of building audio equipment bigger than headphones.

Google To Roll Out Home Entertainment System:

Google Wallet Lands On GSM Galaxy Nexus For AT&T

The Google Wallet application has been available for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus 4G on Sprint, and now it would appear that the application is also available for the GSM Samsung Galaxy Nexus on AT&T. The guys from Droid Life discovered that the application is now available for the AT&T version of the Galaxy Nexus and have tested the application and it seems to be working on AT&T.

By now, most of you know the story behind Google Wallet and the fact that it has only been officially available to the Nexus S 4G on Sprint, something that irritates the hell out of all new Galaxy Nexus owners. The other 3 major carriers here in the U.S. (Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile) have their own NFC payment system in the works and would rather you not use a competing service while they finalize everything.

As far as Verizon goes, the LTE Galaxy Nexus is still not showing as supported. I’m in the middle of looking into something that has to do with it and will report back on my findings. For now though, feel free to ask Big Red on Twitter why AT&T has given the thumbs up, yet they still won’t. Wallet was updated for some users yesterday, but it’s almost impossible to tell if the note that reads “Small changes for device compatibility” was a part of it. If it is, then GSM users, jump on it.

Introducing Google Wallet:

Google’s Android Market Hits 11 Billion Downloads

Google has releases its fourth quarter earnings results for 2011, and along with the release comes some new on Google’s Android OS, most notable is that Google’s Android Market has now reached a massive 11 billion downloads. The 11 billion downloads covers everything available from the Android Market, which includes applications, music, games and movies, and they also confirmed that there are now more than 250 million Android devices out there.

Google also confirmed what we heard back in December, the company is activating a total of 700,000 Android smartphones and tablets every day. The 700,000 activations per day means that if Google continues at this rate they will activate over 255 million Android devices in 2012, and that there would be more than 500 million Android devices activated by the end of 2012. These are pretty impressive figures, and Android seems to be growing at a huge pace, it will be interesting to see the actual figures by the end of 2012.

Google Android Market Improvements:

Google calls all visionaries with panorama mode

The newest installment of Google's advertising campaign for the Galaxy Nexus (and really Ice Cream Sandwich) is showing off the best new feature in the camera app: panorama mode. The newest ad follows in the footsteps of the original "Calling all..." ad, as well as "Calling all social MCs", and "Calling all pretty faces" and "Calling all bohemians".

The new ad is "Calling all visionaries", which shows off the panorama mode from the Ice Cream Sandwich camera app. We'd say that this is the best new feature of the Android camera app, because the face morphing is nothing but a gimmick, and while instant pictures are cool, they don't always work that well and can actually lead to more shaky pictures. Still, it's a solid commercial.

Can we call it a commercial? We've never seen any of these ads on TV, so it may have to be classified as an Internet video ad rather than a commercial.

Add Google Search To Your iOS 5 Notification Center

It seems like no matter what happens Google wants to be a part of it. Google has become a part of most people’s lives and let’s face it, most of us can’t do without it. Google search is the most commonly used item on the internet and with smartphones now connecting to the internet Google is always in demand.

Apple does give its users a couple of ways to use Google in its iOS software and on all iOS devices. This is done through the search bar in Mobile Safari and the Spotlight screen just to the left of the home screen. Both of these options work very well and they are easy to use but if you want something more there is always Google’s own iOS app.

If you want something more there is a brand new app called StatusGoogle and this also makes use of the Notification Center. This brand new app can’t be found in the App Store though and it can only be downloaded from Cydia which is the jailbreak app store. That’s right, StatusGoogle is a jailbreak tweak and when you download this it adds a new search bar to the notification center which is iOS 5’s new way of handling all your notifications.

Once you install StatusGoogle all you have to do is type in your search and hit return and you will automatically be in mobile safari with your Google search loading automatically. We do hope that Apple will begin to allow third party app store apps to take advantage of the notification center soon but until then if you want to take advantage of it you need to jailbreak your idevice.

Google, Youtube, Wikipedia iOS 5 Widget 'WeeSearch' | iPhone, iPod Touch - iOS Vlog 577:

Google+ iOS App Gets Updated

Google has updated its iOS app for the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, and the latest version brings a range of new features to the Google+ application for Apple’s iOS devices.

The new Google+ app lets you upload full resolution photos direct from your iOS device to Google+, and Google has also added in a photo+1 feature and updated the search for the app as well as some bug fixes. You can find out more information about the Google+ app for iOS over at iTunes, and the app is available as a free download.

More information's:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/google/id447119634?mt=8

Google+ for iPhone Tour:

Google Release Galaxy Nexus Factory Image, For Easy Stock Restore

Google has this week released a new factory image for Samsung’s Galaxy Nexus smartphone running, Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. The new image now allows anyone to reset and easily restore their locked/bricked Galaxy Nexus smartphone, back to its original stock factory settings.

So if you have been tweaking and developing apps and mods for your Galaxy Nexus smartphone, and pushed it a little far, resulting in a bricked device. There is now an easy way for you to return it to a working smartphone. The new Galaxy Nexus factory image is an easy to flash all-in-one script providing a single easy process, that even new Android users should have no problem using. The script has been developed and released by Google software engineer Jean-Baptiste Queru and can be downloaded here.

More information's:
http://androidcommunity.com/google-releases-factory-image-for-easily-flashing-galaxy-nexus-back-to-stock-20111201/

compare to Samsung Google Galaxy Nexus Prime vs Motorola Droid Razr

Samsung аnԁ Motorola аrе celebrated pro thеіr top сυt cleverness іn thе technological promote. Thеіr jealousy іѕ аt іtѕ heights including іn cooperation οf thеm schooling thе relief οf thеіr extra wonders: thе Samsung Galaxy Nexus аnԁ thе Motorola Droid Razr. Wе аrе comparing thе two οn thе footing οf innumerable parameters such аѕ ergonomics, memories, camera, connectivity, аnԁ including thе intention οf.

Ergonomics:

Thе Droid Razr іѕ lighter, weighing іn thіѕ vicinity 127g аѕ hostile tο thе Galaxy Nexus’s 135g. In cooperation thе phones bе inflicted including thе uber сοοƖ Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen. Thе Galaxy Nexus’s cover even іf offers a privileged pledge thаn thе Droid Razr. Thіѕ implies including thе intention οf thе Galaxy Nexus hаѕ apparent texts аnԁ astute graphics.

Operating system:
Thе Galaxy Nexus іѕ a top ѕο far tο bе іn thе іn commission logic. It іѕ armed including thе newest apparatus, v4.0 (Hoarfrost Cream Sandwich) whісh incorporates loads οf extra water supply ѕο far tο bе facial appearance. Thе Droid Razr οn thе additional hand, runs οn thе v2.3.5 (Gingerbread) translation οf Apparatus. In cooperation thе phones bе inflicted including Dual-basic Cortex- A9 computer chip including thе intention οf hаѕ a timer alacrity οf 1.2 GHz.

Memory:
In cooperation thе phones household generous domestic storage space memories οf 16 GB storage space аnԁ 1 GB material. Thе release alteration іѕ including thе intention οf thе Galaxy Nexus ԁοеѕ nοt contain a ticket slot. On thе additional hand, thе Droid Razr allows a microSD up tο 32 GB аnԁ a 16 GB memories ticket іѕ built-іn іn thе phone fit.

Camera:
Thе Droid Razr іѕ сеrtаіnƖу thе best lone including іtѕ 8 MP camera аnԁ water supply ѕο far tο bе facial appearance. Thе Galaxy Nexus іѕ equipped including a measly 5 MP primary camera. Thе Droid Razr clicks cinema thе road wе aspire irrespective οf thе amount οf fit alight. In cooperation thе phones bе inflicted including awe-inspiring record strip conveniences аt 1080p@30fps. Thе Galaxy Nexus іѕ defeated flush іn lesser camera. It οnƖу hаѕ a camera οf 1.3 MP even аѕ thе Droid Razr boasts οf 2 MP lesser camera аnԁ record аt 720p.

Connectivity:
In cooperation thе phones аrе water supply connected аnԁ bе inflicted including copious facets such аѕ WLAN, 3G, Bluetooth, аnԁ including thе intention οf. Even іf, thе Droid Razr іѕ again a winner іn check over οf thе fact including thе intention οf іt chains іn cooperation GSM аnԁ CDMA. Thіѕ dual craft’s mast logic lets іt brightly batter between thе two, ѕο humanizing indicate greeting. Thіѕ іn curve enhances encourage quality. AƖѕο, thе Droid Razr іѕ a planet phone аѕ іt саn bе ancient іn аnу confront οf thе planet irrespective οf whether уου аrе a GSM οr CDMA consumer. In cooperation thе phones bе inflicted including EDGE аnԁ GPRS conveniences. In cooperation bе inflicted including Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n.

Battery Life:
Thе Galaxy Nexus hаѕ a ordinary battery οf Li-Ion 1750 mAh even аѕ thе Droid Razr іѕ fuelled bу Li-Ion 1780 mAh. Thе hοnеѕt points οf thе stand-bу calculate аnԁ hаνе a discussion-calculate οf thе Galaxy Nexus аrе nοt mаԁе known ѕο far. Thе Droid Razr offers a clad stand bу calculate οf 204 hours аnԁ hаνе a discussion calculate up tο 12 hours 30 outline.

Google Galaxy Nexus vs Motorola RAZR - Specs Analogy:

Google updates Verizon Nexus page, 32 GB internal storage is back

For those of you pining away for the latest Nexus phone to arrive on Verizon, it’s been a roller-coaster of rumors the last few days. Perhaps the most disheartening was when Google updated its product pages and eliminated the 32 GB model of the Verizon Galaxy Nexus, leaving only a 16 GB version.

Much panic ensued on enthusiast sites – many consumers feel that the lack of removable storage isn’t a big deal as long as a generous amount of internal storage is provided. After all, iPhone owners have been making this tradeoff for years. But the specter of only having 16 GB of internal storage had many people questioning whether this would be enough.

Worry no more, as Google has once again updated their product pages. Not only has the 32 GB model returned, but there’s no mention of a 16 GB version. Combined with the fact that Verizon field-test units are reported to have 32 GB of internal storage, it looks like a good bet that this will be one of the differentiating features of the Verizon Galaxy Nexus.

Google’s product page also confirms the larger battery size that had been rumored – the LTE-enabled Verizon model will have an 1850mAH battery instead of the 1750mAH version in the GSM model.

There may be one more differentiator for the Verizon model: the name. As reported earlier, both Amazon and Best Buy have now been caught referring to the Verizon model as the Nexus Prime. Nothing is official until we hear an announcement, but the Nexus Prime name was quite popular so it's not unthinkable that Verizon would want to use it.

What are you most excited about, the extra storage, the bigger battery, or the possible return of the Nexus Prime name? Let us know in the comments below!

Google updates Verizon Nexus page, 32 GB internal storage is back

For those of you pining away for the latest Nexus phone to arrive on Verizon, it’s been a roller-coaster of rumors the last few days. Perhaps the most disheartening was when Google updated its product pages and eliminated the 32 GB model of the Verizon Galaxy Nexus, leaving only a 16 GB version. Much panic ensued on enthusiast sites – many consumers feel that the lack of removable storage isn’t a big deal as long as a generous amount of internal storage is provided. After all, iPhone owners have been making this tradeoff for years. But the specter of only having 16 GB of internal storage had many people questioning whether this would be enough.

Google’s product page also confirms the larger battery size that had been rumored – the LTE-enabled Verizon model will have an 1850mAH battery instead of the 1750mAH version in the GSM model. There may be one more differentiator for the Verizon model: the name. As reported earlier, both Amazon and Best Buy have now been caught referring to the Verizon model as the Nexus Prime. Nothing is official until we hear an announcement, but the Nexus Prime name was quite popular so it's not unthinkable that Verizon would want to use it.

More information's:
http://www.google.com/nexus/#/tech-specs

Samsung Galaxy Nexus hands-on:

Galaxy Nexus users having issues with volume, media goes crazy

Some Samsung Galaxy Nexus users have been reporting a strange bug in the system that causes volume issues with the handset, and of course that has caused impatient media outlets to claim this issue is to blame for the Nexus not seeing its global release yet. We're as impatient as the next when it comes to wanting the Nexus released, but it seems like a bit of a leap to say this issue is causing the delay.

Users have been reporting that there is a strange bug which causes volume to suddenly drop and sometime go to a full mute on the Galaxy Nexus. Additionally, the phone may become unresponsive for a few seconds. So, the full extent of this problem is having your volume drop for about 10-15 seconds, and you may miss a notification (assuming you also have vibration and LED notifications turned off as well.) Users are also reporting that it may be connected to 2G as it tends to occur when on or switching to a 2G network.

More information's:
http://code.google.com/p/android/issues/detail?id=22021

Google Nexus S Unboxing:

Google’s Motorola Takeover Approved By Stockholders

Google’s $12.5 billion takeover has already been approved by the various regulators, and now the stockholders of Motorola have approved the takeover of the company bu Google.

Google has previously set themselves a deadline for the Motorola takeover, for February next year, and it looks like the company is on track to meet the deadline.

Sanjay Jha, chairman and CEO of Motorola Mobility, said, “We are pleased and gratified by the strong support we have received from our stockholders, with more than 99 percent of the voting shares voting in support of the transaction. We look forward to working with Google to realize the significant value this combination will bring to our stockholders and all the new opportunities it will provide our dedicated employees, customers, and partners.”

Google has said previously that Motorola will be run as a completely separate company to Google, and that Motorola won’t get preferential treatment and earlier access to new versions of Google’s Android OS over other manufacturers.

More information's:
http://mediacenter.motorola.com/content/detail.aspx?ReleaseID=14575&NewsAreaId=2

Motorola stockholders approve Google buyout

The Motorola Mobility stockholders met today and voted to approve the buyout by Google. Although,the deal isn't free to proceed, because the U.S. Department of Justice is still reviewing the plan.

Motorola Mobility has said that the meeting represented about 74% of total outstanding shares in the company, and that "approximately 99 %" voted in favor of the buyout by Google. That is a pretty overwhelming majority of votes. Still, we'll have to wait and see if the government finds reason why this acquisition shouldn't take place.

More information's:
http://mediacenter.motorola.com/Press-Releases/Motorola-Mobility-Stockholders-Approve-Merger-with-Google-38ef.aspx

Google Checkout merges into Google Wallet

What’s the difference between Google Checkout and Google Wallet? Nothing, anymore. Google announced, in a blog post yesterday, that it will be merging Google Checkout into Google Wallet to create one, unified digital payment platform under the Google Wallet name. Now Google Wallet will handle purchases online and in-store. Google is also beginning to introduce Google Wallet as the payment method on Android Market, YouTube, and Google+ Games.

On the consumer side of things, Google is pushing the convenience aspect of simply using a username and password to make purchases online rather than having to enter in the same information repeatedly, such as shipping addresses and credit card information. Citi MasterCard cardholders will also be able to add those cards into the Google Wallet mobile app and have access to their Citi MasterCards as payment options when using Google Wallet online. Current users of Google Checkout will have their accounts transitioned to Google Wallet the next time they sign-in or make an online purchase.

Merchants, on the other hand, do not have to transition anything. Google promises that the transition will be seamless in order to prevent any payment processing interruptions during the holiday shopping season. Google will be working with merchants next year to swap out branding logos and introduce them to new features that may benefit their business.

More information's:
http://googlecommerce.blogspot.com/2011/11/building-one-wallet-google-checkout-is.html

Google To Launch Native Gmail iPhone App

Google’s Gmail is already available for the iPhone via a web app, but it looks like Google may have other plans for Gmail on the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch, a native Gmail app for iOS devices. According to TechCrunch’s MG Siegler the app has already been submitted to Apple for approval and could launch very soon, and the app is expected to bring all the features of Gmail to the iPhone and iOS devices.

One of the functions that is expected to be available in a native Gmail app on the iPhone is push email, plus other features have been included like Google’s priority inbox and one click starring of messages. The app has yet to be confirmed by Google, but if it is waiting for approval from Apple we suspect that we will get an official announcement shortly.

More information's:
http://parislemon.com/post/12181169812/incoming-a-native-gmail-iphone-app-finally

Google Nexus S Gets Android Ice Cream Sandwich Port

We heard recently that the Google Nexus S had the latest version of Google’s mobile OS ported to it, Android Ice Cream Sandwich, and now the guys over at the XDA Developers have released the port for the Google Nexus S.

According to the XDA developers there are still a few bugs which they are working on which include Bluetooth, NFC and Panorama mode on the camera. You can find out more information on how to install Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich on the Google Nexus S over at the XDA Developers forum.

More information's:
http://www.droid-life.com/2011/10/25/mega-gallery-ice-cream-sandwich-walk-through-from-nexus-s-port/

Google Nexus S running ICS:

Google Tests Out Google Voice Search Underwater

Google has been testing out Google Voice Search in Australia, and as well as testing it out in the desert, Google thought it would be a good idea to test it out underwater at the Great Barrier Reef. Google used a special device for communicating underwater, the device is made up with microphone in the divers mask, which was then connected to some other equipment on a boat where the Android device with Google Voice was located, have a look at the video below.

More information's:
http://googlemobile.blogspot.com/2011/10/from-desert-to-sea-google-voice-search.html

Google voice search experiments: underwater: